Improving sport-based psychosocial interventions in Europe: results from the EASMH training programme for professional sport coaches

Introduction In the framework of the EU-Erasmus+, the European Alliance for Sport and Mental Health (EASMH) project has been funded, aiming to promote the improvement of good clinical practice for sport-based psychosocial interventions throughout Europe. A specific training programme tailoring professional sport coaches has been developed in order to improve their skills in engaging and involving patients with severe mental disorders in sport-based rehabilitation activities. Objectives to evaluate the perceived quality and utility of the EASMH training programme by sport coaches from different European countries (including Italy, UK, Romania, and Finland). Methods As part of the EASMH project, the University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli” has coordinated the development of training materials for professional sport coaches. The training programme has been tested in a pilot training programme. An ad-hoc questionnaire has been developed and administered at the end of the training, during a meeting held in Brussels in July 2022. Results The EASMH training programme consists of six modules, dealing with the following topics: definition of mental health/mental disorders; classification systems; essential clinical features of severe mental disorders; personal and social burden associated with severe mental disorders; how to build a therapeutic relationship with a patient with severe mental disorders; verbal and non-verbal communication; evaluation of patient’s preference in selecting sport activities; definition of a personalized plan; motivational interview/problem-solving strategy. A total of eight professional coaches involved in different sport coming from Italy, Romania, United Kingdom and Finland participated in the entire training, consisting of six 4hr training modules. Seven out the eight coaches compiled the questionnaire. The overall feedback has been extremely positive. Overall, coaches have judged the modules as very clear, useful and of high standing. Each question has been rated with an average of 4.35 related to the overall content. Conclusions The present survey confirms that a short online training programme focused on professional sport coaches is well received by participants and can provide them with useful information on how to engage patients with severe mental disorders. The next step of the EASMH project foresees the implementation of several local pilot actions with the active involvement of patients with severe mental disorders. Disclosure of Interest None Declared


Introduction:
The VML (Verbal Motor Learning) method (Vashdi, 2013, Vashdi, 2014, 2017 is an organized, structured method which includes unique evaluation, algorithmic analysis, manual techniques, motor learning principles and unique treatment principles. The VML method targets the Apraxia of speech syndrome deficits, while teaching the learner how the plan the speech movements and time the speech systems for an accurate pronunciation. Being a multidimensional entity in nature, as a speech therapy tool developed by a physical therapist, the VML method crosses disciplinary boundaries of agreement and proposing new policies for treatment. The speech tool serves other professions then speech therapists and is also given to parents for practice and learning. The parent's role in the therapeutic team is controversial, however, we have found that parent's intervention in some cases can be very effective, contributing to treatment process. Objectives: The purpose of this retrospective study is to answer two major questions; What is the efficacy of the professional and nonprofessional VML treatment. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted analyzing 900 evaluations of which 136 longitudinal treatment processes of children diagnosed with CAS or suspected CAS, were extracted. The participants contacted the early age intervention clinic for VML speech evaluation on their own will, and were examined by a VML expert. The data was collected over the years 2006-2018 based on children evaluated at the clinic in Israel. A set of variables based on the VML method assessment (Vashdi, 2013;Vashdi, 2014) was established for the retrospective data collection 136 speech treatment processes passed the inclusion criteria and were examined (59 professional treatment and 77 non-professional treatment Results: There were no differences between the professional and non-professional group's baseline data. The entry syllables score for all participants was 16.32%. The average improvement in syllables for all participants was significant (33.18% , p<0.05, paired t-test). It was also found significant for the professional and non-professional treatment groups ( 45.49% and 23.75% respectively, p<0.001, t-test). Single syllables improvement was found higher for professional group (P=0.02).
Conclusions: Both groups demonstrated significant improvement in the single syllables production skill, while the professional group was found significantly more effective than the home-based treatment. The findings regarding the professional group are not surprising, however support the efficacy of the VML intervention for children with severe CAS, even with one session per week of intervention. The non-professional home based treatment results were surprising and promosing for future practice.

EPP0379
Improving sport-based psychosocial interventions in Europe: results from the EASMH training programme for professional sport coaches Introduction: In the framework of the EU-Erasmusþ, the European Alliance for Sport and Mental Health (EASMH) project has been funded, aiming to promote the improvement of good clinical practice for sport-based psychosocial interventions throughout Europe. A specific training programme tailoring professional sport coaches has been developed in order to improve their skills in engaging and involving patients with severe mental disorders in sport-based rehabilitation activities. Objectives: to evaluate the perceived quality and utility of the EASMH training programme by sport coaches from different European countries (including Italy, UK, Romania, and Finland). Methods: As part of the EASMH project, the University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli" has coordinated the development of training materials for professional sport coaches. The training programme has been tested in a pilot training programme. An ad-hoc questionnaire has been developed and administered at the end of the training, during a meeting held in Brussels in July 2022. Results: The EASMH training programme consists of six modules, dealing with the following topics: definition of mental health/ mental disorders; classification systems; essential clinical features of severe mental disorders; personal and social burden associated with severe mental disorders; how to build a therapeutic relationship with a patient with severe mental disorders; verbal and nonverbal communication; evaluation of patient's preference in selecting sport activities; definition of a personalized plan; motivational interview/problem-solving strategy. A total of eight professional coaches involved in different sport coming from Italy, Romania, United Kingdom and Finland participated in the entire training, consisting of six 4hr training modules. Seven out the eight coaches compiled the questionnaire. The overall feedback has been extremely positive. Overall, coaches have judged the modules as very clear, useful and of high standing. Each question has been rated with an average of 4.35 related to the overall content. Conclusions: The present survey confirms that a short online training programme focused on professional sport coaches is well received by participants and can provide them with useful information on how to engage patients with severe mental disorders. The next step of the EASMH project foresees the implementation of several local pilot actions with the active involvement of patients with severe mental disorders. Introduction: Mental health problems increase the risk for longterm sick leaves, early transitions to disability pensions and unstable career paths. Individual Placement and Support (IPS) is an evidence-based program integrated into psychiatric care aiming to support individuals with serious mental illness in finding employment. One key element in the implementation of the program is that the program is adequately integrated into the psychiatric care. However, knowledge on implementation challenges as well as best practices experienced by the practitioners, especially from the perspective of professionals in psychiatric care, is limited. Objectives: The Finnish Individual Placement and Support Evaluation Study (2020-2023) aims at investigating the implementation, feasibility as well as perceived benefits and outcomes of IPS program. The present study focuses on experiences on implementation of the program in the psychiatric care. Methods: Both quantitative and qualitative data from different stakeholders have been and will be collected. The data collection will be finished at the end of 2022. For the present study, data among professionals (psychiatric nurses and psychiatrists) in the psychiatric care has been and will be collected using questionnaires (n=58) and individual interviews (n=17). Among IPS employment specialist delivering the program, the data have been / will be collected using focus group interviews (6 focus groups, n=29) and workshops. Results: The preliminary findings of the study show that the key elements in successful implementation of the IPS program into the psychiatric care are sufficient information about the program among professionals in the psychiatric care, adequate flow of information between IPS employment specialists and psychiatric care (including regular meetings) and facilities promoting the co-operation (including physical space and common information system). Majority of professionals in psychiatric care reported that the client-related communication with the IPS employment specialist had been active (81%) and adequate (76%). Conclusions: Successful implementation and integration of the IPS program into psychiatric care requires seamless cooperation and communication between mental health professionals and IPS employment specialists, especially in cases when the IPS employment specialists do not have access to patient information due to confidentiality legislation.

EPP0381
The patterns of rehabilitation service use and personal recovery among persons with psychiatric disability Introduction: Rehabilitation services are supposed to facilitate recovery. However, there is no concrete evidence in Taiwan.
Objectives: This study examined the patterns of rehabilitation service use and the association between the pattern of use and personal recovery. Methods: Thirty-two community psychiatric rehabilitation centers in Taiwan agreed to participate in this study. A sample of 592 participants filled out the questionnaires. Eight kinds of rehabilitation services were included: Independent living and self-care training, interpersonal and social skills training, daily life arrangement and community life rehabilitation, physical activities, symptom management training, occupational therapy, sheltered workshops, and vocational training. Recovery was measured by the Stage of Recovery Scale. Cluster analysis was utilized to classify service use patterns among the participants. ANOVA was used to examine the association between the pattern of use and recovery. Results: The results revealed five patterns of use: (1) Overall middle level with emphasis on work, (2) independent living plus occupational rehabilitation, (3) independent living plus vocational rehabilitation, (4) overall low-level of use, and (5) overall highlevel of use. The differences among the five groups of participants in each kind of rehabilitation service were significant (Eta2=19.2%). The recovery status of overall high users was significantly better than middle-level and low users. The recovery status of low-level users was significantly worse than the other four groups. Conclusions: The findings imply that greater rehabilitation service use is conducive to recovery. Comprehensive use of various types of service or the combination of independent living and other types seem to facilitate recovery.

EPP0382
Impacts of Individual Placement and Support (IPS) program of supported employment on employment and psychosocial well-being among individuals with severe mental illness N. Sipilä* and K. Appelqvist-Schmidlechner Equality, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland *Corresponding author. doi: 10.1192/j.eurpsy.2023.697